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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. W. GULMER.

GAS METER. No. 398,707. Patented Feb. 26, 1889.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. W. CULMER.

GAS METER.

110.398.707. Patented Feb. 26. 1889.

UntTnn STATES PATENT Orme JOHN il. LOGAN,

OF SAME FLA OE.

GAS=METER.

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 398,707, dated February26,1889.

Application filed August 29, 1338 To a/Z/ whom i may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN lV. Clmllin, a citizen ot' the United States,residing at the borough of New Brighton, in the county of Beaver andState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Gas-Meters; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying' drawings, in which- Figure l is a vertical section of agas-meter embodying my invention non the line .r r, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal ortransverse section on the line y y, Fig. l, a portion oi'one of the l;)ellows-rings being broken away to show the weights whichcounterbalance the piston and bellows. Fig. 3 a detail view of themechanism for suddenly tllrowing or moving` the meter-valves. Fig. l isa detail perspective view of a portion of the bellows-piston and one setof levers, 2), which connect the lazytongs with said piston, showing theslides 30, bent plate 3G, which connects Athe same, and the guideways otthe slide.

Like figures refer to like parts wherever they occur. l

My invention relates to that class of dry meters wherein the measurementis effected by the reciprocating action ot' a piston inclosed within anouter case oi cylindrical or i other appropriate form.

Heretoi'ore, so .t'ar as l am aware, this class of meters has beenconstructed with pistons attached to bellows ot' rubber, leather, orother suitable `flexible material, the bellows being attached to thepiston and to a base by gastight joints, the space inclosed within thebellows between its points ot greatest expansion and contractionfurnishing the unit of measure. In this class of meters, a rule, two ormore such bellows with their piston-heads and attachments are madecomplementary to cach other, the action ot one operating the valves andcontrolling the inflow and exhaust of the other or others; or twobellows are complementary to each other, in that they are attached bymeans of levers or bell-cranks to the same spindle which they rotate, and which in turn operates thc valve of each bellows at iiXed relativepoints of their strokes. As the motion of the valve-gear in such metersis Serial No. 284,075. (No modela comparatively slow, and as (to beaccurate) the ports must he opened and closed at alixed pointnear or atthe ends of the stroke, the valves are necessarily some t'orm of theslidevalve type. The motion due to the rotation of the spindle whichactuates the valve-gear is continuous through the entire stroke of thepiston or bellows. Therefore the contact-surfaces of the valves andport-plates are necessaril)7 large in comparison with the ports.Consequently there is considerable friction, and this friction isincreased as the gnmmy or waxy precipitate from the gas is depositedupon the sliding surfaces. Furthermore, in this class of meters, ascommonl)v constructed,

`; where two or more bellows are used they are separated by a gas-tightdiaphragm of sheet metal or other material, and lo avoid th e weight ott he bellows and the pistons and guides which they support the diaphragmis placed vertically within the outer case, and the stroke ot thepistons is on a horizontal line at right angies with the diaphragm. Thespace surrounding the bellows within thc case is not utilized. Thestroke of the piston is limited by the necessity ot using` its guides asthe primary levers of the bell-crank or rotary valve system, and thereis no method of adj ustment to obtain accuracy ol measurement.

Under some conditions it is necessary to use ,a meter in which a singlebellows operates y in a vertical line upon a horizontal.base, the

top of the bellows forming a piston which plunges upward into the spaceincloscd within the outer case. In such cases the weight ot the bellowsand all its attachments retards the upward movement and compresses thegas, while the downward stroke accelerated by the weight, and the resultis an intermittent outflow of the gas, which is very objectionable.

The object of in v present invention is lo obviatc thc severalobjections above recited, and to this end it consists, first, inutilizing the entire space within the cuter case ot the apparatus;second, in providing a mechanism which shall have a parallel motion, soas to maintain the piston and bellows at a proper distance from theouter case; third, in providing means for lengthening` or shortening thestroke of the piston, so as to obtain a IOO ready adjustment forcorrecting errors in measurement; fourth, in providing an adjustablecounterbalance which shall equalize the weight of the piston. and itsattachments, so that there shall be no compression of the Vgas necessaryto the operation of the meter; and, finally, in special details ofconstruction, all as will hereinafter .more fully appear.

For the purposes of this specification I have elected to show myinvention as applied to an uprightsingle-piston meter of the classspecitied, but do not desire or intend to be limited thereby, as themajority of the features of invention are equally applicable to metershaving two or more pistons and bellows, as will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more specifically, so thatothers skilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same.

1 indicates the base of a single-piston upright meter Supported on feet2, and provided with a ring, 3, which rises to a sufficient height toadmit of passages or ports a therethrough. This ring forms a portion ofthe dividing-wall of the inner orbellows chamber andan outer or casechamber.

Through the base l at suitable points are formed the inlet-passage 5 andthe outletpassage G, each of which terminates above the base 1 in a Ttube, 7 and 8, having one opening outside the ring 3 and one openinginside of said ring, the several openings being in line or otherwise.suitably arranged to permit ot the couplingl of the valves. The openingsof the Ts 7 and 8 forni valve-seats, andY may have suitable bushings, ifdesired.

9 indicate a double puppet or equivalent inlet valve, of a character toseat squarely and directly without sliding, rotation, or materialfriction, preferably provided wi th -win g-guides 10, and 11 11 indicatea similar outlet-valve having wing-guides 12, the said valves 9 9 and 1111 being connected bya stem, 13, having a central slot or mortise, 14,for the admission of a roller, 22. The valves are so adjusted on thestem that when the stem is thrown in one direction the outer port of theinlet-passage and the inner port of the outlet-passage 6 shall beopened, and vice versa, the valves closing down upon the ports squarelyand being' supported by the wingguides and 12 within the passages of theT-tubes.

Secured to the basel. .is a stand, 15, in which are journaled thespindles 16 and 17, and secured to said spindles are levers 18 1S,having their engaged ends constructed in the form of quadrant -gear andmeshing with each other, while their opposite ends are connected bypivot'ed rods or links 19 with alazy-tongs mechanism, which is in turnconnected with the piston, so that the movement of, the piston iscommunicated to the spindles 16 and 17.

Upon the spindle 16 is loosely iitted a 1e'- v'cr, 20, provid ed at itsextremity with a weight,

21, and about midway of its length with a roller, 22, and said lever 2Opasses through the central slot, l-1,of stem 13, whichconnects thevalves. Secured to said spindle 1G, so as to rotate therewith, is adisk, 23, (see Fig. 8,) provided with pins 2l, which pass upon eitherside of lever 2O and are at such distance apart as to allow a certainamount of play or throw to the lever 2O whenever it is struck and thrownby either of the pins 2l.

Upon stand are rods 25, which support by means of pivot-pins 2U twopairs of lazytongs, 27 and 2S, arranged parallel (see Fig. and connectedat one end by pin 193:, links or rods 19, and levers 1S with spindles 16and 17, and atthe other end by levers 29 and pivot-blocks SO with piston211. The pi\v'ot-blocks 30 are sliding blocks arranged in guideways 30:,said blocks being connected by a strap or plate, 3U, controlled by ascrew, 37, which passes through the piston 31. (Sec The piston 31 may bcof any suitable or approved material, and is connected with thebase-ring 3 by means of the bellows 32, which bellows is provided withthe rings 33 and incloses the mechanism hercinbefore described, siiilbellows having a gas-tight joint where it is connected with the piston31 and the ring 3.

In order to counterbalance the weight of the piston 31, bellows 32, andtheir adj uncts in upright 1n;t rs, the lower members, 27 it, of thelazy-tongs are extended (see Fig. 1) and provided with sliding weights34, having setscrews 35, by means of which the said weights may besecured after havingbcen properly adjusted. Y,

In order to lengthen or shorten the stroke of piston 31 or adjust thesame, so as to correct any errors in measurement, the two levers 29 orthe sliding pivot-'blocks 30 thereof are connected by means of a bentplate, 3G, (or its eq uivalent,) and provided with a set=sc1jew, 37,which passes through the piston 31. The drawing down of the plate 36 bymeans of screw 37 shortens the are through which the levers 29 cantravel and proportionally shortens the stroke of the piston.

3S indicates a swinging lever provided with an anti-friction roller, 39,and a pawl, 40,which lever stands in the path of the piston 31, so as tobe struck thereby and operate any suitable registering mechanism,(indicated by the ratchet-wheels 41.)

Where the supply of gas is received from a high-pressure main, or, inthe use of natural gas, where the mains are subject to greatfluctuations of pressure, it is desirable to protect the meter from theeffects of said excessive or fluctuating pressure, for which purpose Icombi-ne with. the meter a regulator, as shown in Fig. 1.' For saidpurpose I provide a cressmain.

IOO

IIO

contact. with strike 22:, (or one end of the slot screw-disk 4G, dishedor concaved to permitthe movement of a flexible diaphragm, a7, whichdiaphragm I cover and secure in place by means of a gas-tight dome, 4S.Attached to the diaphragm 47 and extending back therefrom in line witht-he center of the supply-pipc is a stem, 40, connected by means ot onelink or short lever, 50, with the stem of a valve, 5l, arranged to seaton the port ot inlet-pipe 5 of the meter, and also connected by a secondlink or short lever, 52, with a plug, 53, which closes the fourth branchof the crossshaped fitting, or that opposite the inlet-pipe 5 ot' themeter. The cup ot' plug 53 may form the guide for the stem of valve 5l,as shown in the drawings.

IVithin the chamber formed by the dome 1128 and the diaphragm 417, Isuspend a mova ble weight, 54,1)y means of a stem, 55, and lever 5G, sothat it shall bear against the stem 11:9 ot' diaphragm i7 and weight thcdiaphragm against the pressure of the intlowing gas. -y a properadjustment of said weight the diaphragm 4T can beheld in its normalposition in the concavity or dish ot' the male threaded disk -l-t underani7 predetermined pressure of fintiowing gas, in which condition thevalve 5l,whieh guartls the inlet-rupe otl the meter, will be ot't itsseat; but as soon as the pressure ot" the in flowing gas ex ceeds thatt'or which the weight is adjusted the diaphragm 477 will assume theposition shown in lfig. l, and in so doing the movement of stem it)will,throu gli links or levers 50 and 52, torce the valve 5l on its seatand close the inlet-pipe 5 ot' the meter and obviate all danger oflbursting the meter, bellows, or case.

The meter being constructed slibstantiallv7 as hereinl'ietofe describedwill operate as follows: Gas f rom the supply-pipe being admittedthrcnigh inlet 5, the valves being inthe position shown in Fig. ],willpass into theinterior ot the bellows and raise the piston 3l until theextension of lazy-tongs 27 and 28 has raised the pin 19* and links orlevers 1Q,

so as to rotate the spindle 1G b v means of the l geared levers it to apoint where the pin 2t on disk 2S has carried lever tlpastits center,whereupon the weight 2l will cause it to fall, and the roller 22, beingbrought in sudden llin lever 13,) will instantly reverse the valves, sothat the gas will flow through the inlet-port (at the right ot' ltig. l)outside the ring Ii, and the gas contained within the bel lowsl willtlow out through the outlet-port (on let't ot' Fig. l) inside the ring.

will be measured b vdisplacement1. Theparallel lam-tongs movement 27 and2s' will maini tain the intiper relation oil' bellows and outer ease.',lhe strap aml set-screw mechanism Sti il?, combined with thelazy-tongs, will at'tord ready means for adjusting tho movement ol thebellows and correcting errors in measurement, the cthinter-weights 3i,combined with the lazy-tongs, will neutralize the weight ot the pistonand bellows, and the valve-throw- 'lhus the gas l ing mechanism 13, 14,20, 2l, 23, and 2t will, together with the form of valve employed,insure an instantaneous opening and closing (or shitting) of the valveswithout material friction or loss ot time or power, securing all olf theseveral advantages and obviating all the disadvantages hereinl'ieforeset forth.`

I am aware that plun gers displacing liuids been heretofore used, andthat bellows and lazy-tongs movements are old, as well as two or morevalves upon one stem operating in a right line, and do not hereinbroadlv claim t-l: e same. Neither do I herein claim the combination,with an outer shell or case, of a beln lows ring provided with valvedpassages which connect with both the interior and exterior ot" thebellows-ring, said bellows-ring detached and arranged concentricallywith the shell or case to atlord attachment for a series of bellows`within a common case, as the same forms the sul)ject-matter ot aseparate application, Serial No. ilstbt, tiled ol even date herewith;but,

Ilaving thus described my invent ion, whatI claim, and desire tosetffure by Letters Patent', is

l. In a single-piston meter, the combina tion, with an outer ease orshell and a piston and its bellows, o t' a met elf-base ringhaving anannular flange Yfor the attachment of the bellows, said tiange providedwith'valve-ports and arranged to form a portion of the wall whichdivides the inner or bellows chamber from the outer or shell chamber,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a gas-meter, the combination, with a bellows and its piston andhase, of .parallel lazy-tongs mechanism, substant-ialiv` as and for thcpurposes specified.

In a gas-meter, the combination,with a bellows and its piston, of alazy-tongs and counter-weights, substantia-illy and for the purposesspecitied.

4. In a gas-meter, the combination of a bel lows and its piston, with alazy-tongs mechanism, and with interposed adjustable pivot'- bloekswhich connect the lazy-tongs levers with the piston-head, subst antiallvas and l'or the purposes specified.

5. In a gasmeti-er, the combination, with a bellows and its pistomot ala7v-tongs, plate 236, slides 30, and set-screw il?, substantially asand for the purposes spccitied.

d. ln a gas-meter, the combina-t ionavith the bellows and its piston,ot' a lazy-tongs mechanism having adjustable connections with saidpiston, a spindle actuated thereby, a weighted drop-lever tripped oractuated b v j the spindle, and a valve arranged to be shifted l b v theiall ol the drop-lever, substantially as and for the purposes specitied.

7; In a gas-metta', the combination, with a bellows, ot a lazy-tongs,geared levers operated thereby, a spindle operated by the geared levers,a weighted lever loose on the spindle, a 1, disk secured to the spindleand having pins by their' introduction into free space have' IOO IIO

which straddle the weigh ted lever, and a valve actuated by the weightedlever, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a gas-meter, the combination of abase, a piston, a bellows whichconnects the base and piston, a lazy-tongs movement, and adinstableweights arranged on the lowermembers of the lazy-tongs, substantially asand for the purposes specified.

9. In a gasuneter, the combination of an inner and an outer meter ormeasuringchamber, T-inlet and T-outlets which extend between the innerto the outer chambers, double puppet-valves therefoiga stem whichconnects the double puppet inlet-valve and the double puppetoutlet-valves, and mechanism for actuating the valve-stem, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

l0. In a gasmeter, the combination of an JOHN lV. CULMER.'

Vitnesses:

W. A. CovENTRY, JOSEPH SWESEY,

